Risk isn’t a number — it’s a mindset. In Part 1 of our two‑episode series, Trinity Investors Partner Dan Meader joins Paul Olschwanger to break down the real meaning of risk in investing and why traditional models often fail when markets become unpredictable.Dan explains why tools like Value at Risk (VAR) assume functional markets that rarely exist in the real world, how probability and tail risk shape outcomes far more than most investors realize, and why volatility = risk — but not all risk is volatility.We explore:

• The flaws in VAR and traditional risk models
• Black Swans, tail events, and the “1,000‑year flood”
• Single‑asset vs. portfolio‑level risk
• Liquidity, diversification, and taking profits
• Why long‑term trends matter more than short‑term noise
• The seatbelt analogy: protecting capital before stress arrives
• The courage of conviction — and why “nobody went broke selling early”

This episode sets the foundation for Part 2, where we dive into Risk Tolerance — the human side of how investors behave under stress, why emotions matter, and what separates disciplined long‑term decision‑makers from everyone else.Part 2 releases next week.

In this episode, Paul Olschwanger talks to Meridan Zerner, a registered dietitian who spent 30 years at the Cooper Clinic helping executives, founders, and high‑performing professionals build healthier, more resilient lives. Meridan shares her personal journey, her “1‑Thing” habit strategy, and the science behind sleep, stress, movement, and nutrition. A practical, inspiring conversation about why health is a leadership asset — and how small changes create big outcomes.

In this episode, Paul Olschwanger chats with Lisa Armstrong, a former banker who spent years working with private equity firms and large companies before shifting her focus to advising small and middle‑market businesses.

Lisa shares how bankers think, how private equity evaluates opportunities, and why founders often misunderstand what capital providers are actually looking for. She also breaks down her unique approach that blends psychology and data to help companies solve financial, operational, and leadership challenges.

A clear, practical conversation for anyone navigating growth, capital, or the middle‑market landscape.

About Lisa Armstrong
Lisa Armstrong is a business growth strategist and contract CFO with a background in banking, where she worked closely with private equity firms and large corporate clients. Today, she helps small and middle‑market companies strengthen their financial systems, improve decision‑making, and build healthier organizations through a blend of analytical rigor and human insight.